Posts belonging to Category 'how to'
August 17, 2010 | Posted by Mark Z
Earlier this summer I discussed our perpetual need to live with carpenter ants. I ended the post with a somewhat philosophical, “live and let live” comment. Yeah, well, forget all that—sometimes, like when they start tunneling in the foam board in the walls, you’ve got to execute with extreme prejudice! Here’s how we control carpenter [...]
Categories: how to | 
Tags: controlling carpenter ants, homemade carpenter ant bait, self reliance | 
2 Comments »
August 4, 2010 | Posted by Joan Crain
For the last nine weeks, I have outlined a food storage plan that included nearly everything a family would need to survive a crisis. But for how long? That depends on how much you choose to purchase and store. I have heard from my visitors on Family Survival Planning web site that the #1 hurdle [...]
Categories: food storage, how to | Tags: emergency preparedness, long term food storage, self reliance | 7 Comments »
July 8, 2010 | Posted by Glory Lennon
Unraveling a crocheted Afghan may seem like a stupid thing to do, but not if you don’t like it, it’s a bit old fashioned or seemingly useless for you. You could give it to the cat or dog to lounge on but why not make use of the yarn? You could unravel the entire thing [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: frugal living, how to, reuse yarn, self reliance, unraveling yarn | No Comments »
June 26, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan
It’s nice to make a gravel path in the yard or through the garden. It gives us a place to walk and helps define the limits of our garden beds. The problem with gravel paths is that they can become wet and muddy after a while, and no matter how much gravel you apply, it [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: do it yourself, garden path, make a gravel path, make a path, self reliance | No Comments »
June 17, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan
Your outdoor faucets around the house are globe valves, and certain isolation valves in your house are gate valves. Both of these type of valves have either stem packing or seats (washers) on the backside of the stem that help prevent water leaks around the stem that operates the valve. In order for those seats [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: gate valve, globe valve, hints and tips, self reliance, valves | No Comments »
June 16, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
If you are a surfcaster, then you know the value of a sand spike . . . they are invaluable, but very expensive for what they really are. I have two that I paid about $12 each for just a few years ago. These days they run about $15 or more. The thing is, they [...]
Categories: fishing, how to | Tags: do it yourself, fishing, how to, how to make sand spikes, self reliance, surfcasting | No Comments »
June 14, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
Here is another DIY Quick Tip: When repairing a small hole in the wall, always mound the filler. Why? The filler always dries in a depression, so to save a second application, just over fill and mound it. We have all had a hole in the wall, be it from a nail or a screw [...]
Categories: DIY, how to | Tags: DIY quick tip, do it yourself, fix holes in the wall, self reliance | No Comments »
June 11, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
Here is another DIY Quick Tip: Remove rust from old tools with white vinegar, baking soda, and a wire brush. If you have or come across old tools, they typically have rust on them. Here is one way to remove rust, clean the tools, and protect them. Here’s what to do: Put the tools in [...]
Categories: DIY, how to | Tags: DIY quick tip, do it yourself, how to, low profile living, remove rust from tools, self reliance | No Comments »
June 8, 2010 | Posted by Mark Z
The problem with hand trapping mice or other rodent invaders is basic: if you catch it live, you have to kill it. Many people will avoid trapping varmints for this very reason, but for those who are willing to take the responsibility, here are a few tips: Concussion: Perhaps the quickest, most humane way to [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: pest control, self reliance, trapping mice | 3 Comments »
June 6, 2010 | Posted by Mark Z
Mice can be a problem in the garden, greenhouse, or home. Despite all the traps, poisons, and deterrents available, sometimes the best way to trap a mouse is to go after it yourself. I learned how to do this before moving to the homestead. One winter mice invaded our suburban home while we were between [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: pest control, self reliance, trapping mice | No Comments »
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